Indianapolis Prize award increased

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The prestigious Indianapolis Prize is increasing its cash prize.

Every other year, the Indianapolis Prize is given to someone worthy of recognition for animal conservation. Historically, the prize has been $100,000. Now, it’ll jump to $250,000.

Last year, Dr. Steven C. Amstrup earned the award for his work saving polar bears. The award began in 2006 when it was given to Dr. George Archibald, co-founder of the International Crane Foundation.

The next Indianapolis Prize will be given in 2014.

“Increasing the Prize to a quarter of a million dollars is the natural result of the success the Indianapolis Prize has experienced over the past several years,” said committee chairwoman Myrta Pulliam in a news release. “Because the money is unrestricted, the Prize winners have been able to invest the funds in ways that make the most sense to them. We are confident that this increase in the money will reap huge dividends in actually saving species.”